Bard armor

[demokatt]

Just started a bard for the first time and I really like to solo meele and play songs. I am just level 10 yet but will probably start swarming at 18 but still like to be able to to meele and tank some.

So my question is armor.. what should I go for.. just standard armor with good AC STR etc as I do on warrior and ranger.

Or is DEX and CHA really that important? I don't see that I miss notes very often.. I will never raid and probably mostly solo. I have read many forums, some say DEX and CHA is very important but some say not at all ;)

[Swish2]

If you're soloing I'd definitely focus on your HP/stamina more than a group bard would do.

Dex isn't that useful unless you're using proc'ing weapons...charisma is obviously handy for lulls and charms, if you're leveling by charming mobs then aim for 200 CHA as a baseline.

Also a point to note, the higher level you go the harder it is to out-and-out tank a mob and beat its dps against you (solo). Mistmoore mobs as an example from about 25 up. Your melee dps falls well behind unless you're super twinked ^^

[demokatt]

Okay I Think I keep normal tank armor until I cant solo meele anymore.
When can I start chaming? 27?
So DEX has no use at all when swarm kiting?

[Legidias]

Go for straight AC/HP(sta).

I still don't believe after like 5 years of live bard and 3 ish here that CHA affects bard charm at all. It does help lull, but as solo it wont really matter to you much. You can 100% start charming at 27 when you get your first one.

Dex is useless unless you're basing a setup on procs, of which basically the only one you'd want to worry about is a tash stick or orb. But by that point you can just fear a mob until tash procs so dex is meaningless. You dont lose any mana on a missed note and it only costs you like 0.2 seconds to fix it and recast.

If you can afford it, instrument upgrades >>>>>> armor upgrades especially solo.

[Jauna]

Songs are spells. But have you ever seen a chanter/necro/mage asking for dex buffs so they can cast better? Dex is useless as fuck and your missed notes are based on your song/instrument skills vs the level of the song.

As for CHA, it is only marginally useful for Charm, but that is always 18 seconds max and annoying as fuck in groups. nothing like staring a mob in the face for 10-15 seconds waiting for bard charm to fade. And CHA effects Lull ONLY when it gets resisted.

Mez and Lull are based on your level vs the mobs level + mobs MR. Mez will NEVER break early unless someone breaks it. Meaning no matter your cha, if mez lands it will be full duration.

Dont be a goober in that baby blue armor, get ac/hp>sta>str